*Every Owerri Zone Politician’ Is Lord And Master Unto Himself”
A political analyst, Mr. Kevin Anyasodor, has given a detailed analysis of the reasons behind the division among political stakeholders in Owerri zone regarding the 2027 Imo governorship election.
The adoption of the Imo Charter of Equity, which advocates for the seamless rotation of the governorship among the three zones in Imo State, starting with Owerri zone, has exposed fault lines and division within the zone.
While groups like Owerri Zone Awareness Coalition (OZAC), Imo Harmony Project and OZOPOLF have remained committed to the project, others, strangely have defected from the cause.
Notably, Owerri Peoples Mandate and some prominent politicians from Owerri Zone like Prince Bob Njemanze, Capt David Mbamara, and Prof Vitalis Ajumbe have thrown their weight behind Okigwe zone to produce the next governor of the State in 2027.
According to Anyasodor, the factors that have hindered Owerri zone from producing a governor in the past are still present today.
“These factors have haunted the quest for the zone to produce a governor for long. And these factors are very visible till date,” he said.
Anyasodor identified the absence of strong, credible political leadership in Owerri zone as a major obstacle to a united quest by the zone.
“There is absence of a strong and credible political leadership in Owerri zone which will moderate the political temperament of political stakeholders,” he stated.
He compared Owerri zone to the South West and North, which have organizations like Afenifere and Arewa that coordinate political direction.
“Every politician in Owerri zone is a Lord and master unto himself, and no people can progress or move forward politically this way,” he said.
Anyasodor noted that other zones take advantage of this gap to gain power, highlighting the presence of moderating political leadership in Orlu and Okigwe zones.
“Orlu and Okigwe zones are moderated by visible political leadership such as Orlu Zuru Mee, Orlu Elders Council, and Olu Okigwe. Which leadership that commands respect moderates and regulates the political direction of Owerri zone?” he asked.
Anyasodor criticized the numerous moneybags in Owerri zone who are in politics, leading to a lack of political cohesion and direction.
“All the money bags in Owerri zone are in politics. And it is unacceptable that almost all of them are converging on the political space. Every money bag in Owerri zone wants to be Governor, and this is why there is no political cohesion in the zone,” he said.
He contrasted this with the North, where moneybags fund the political class, investing in those who can capture political power.
“For instance, General Muhammadu Buhari. He was not a rich man when he vied for the presidency in 2015. His presidential bid was sponsored by those who had money not just in the North but across the country,” he said.
Anyasodor, a political scientist identified quest for financial gain and desire to play a second fiddle as negative factors affecting the zone’s quest for Imo governorship in 2027.
“Most of our politicians are financial gluttons… At a time the zone should stay together and demand for the governorship, some are willing to be errand of other governorship contestants from other zones. When the chips are down, you will be shocked with the number of political stakeholders in Owerri zone who would be campaign DGs and Running Mates to candidates from Okigwe and Orlu” he said.
He emphasized the need for Owerri zone to unite and demand the governorship, rather than being divided and supporting candidates from other zones.